Soon after the announcement of the new Fisheye and Soft Focus Optics, Lensbaby expanded their Creative Effects SLR lens system that includes Single Lens-Reflex (SLR) lenses, interchangeable optics, and accessories. The new addition is the Step-Up/Shade, a combination of 37mm to 52mm step-up ring and lens shade.

The device is small and lightweight, features 52mm threads on the front so that photographers now will be able to use any of their 52mm filters on all Lensbaby lenses.

It also serves as a convenient lens shade, measuring 1.44 inches (3.66cm) from the front edge of the hood to the surface of optic, providing significant protection from flare.

It should be noted that the device is specially designed to work with the Lensbaby Composer’s focus ring and recessed optics as standard step-up rings do not provide the added benefit of the lens shade functionality on it. They are too wide to fit into the Composer, preventing the focus ring from rotating fully

“Now for the first time, Lensbaby users will be able to incorporate their favorite 52mm filters into their creative Lensbaby photography projects,” said Craig Strong, Lensbaby president and co-founder. “And with 52mm filters being one of the most common and popular sizes available, the creative possibilities are endless. Let the fun begin.”

Lensbaby Step-Up/Shade – Features:

• Rear шs 37mm Threaded to Attach to Lenses and Optics
• Front is 52mm Threaded to Attach 52mm Filters
• Measures 1.44 inches (3.66cm)
• Protection from Flare
• Internal Grooves Trap Stray Light
• Compatible with All Lensbaby Lenses and Optics
• MSRP is $24.95

Lensbaby has announced the Soft Focus lens to its Optic Swap system, offering the focal length of 50mm. It works with Lensbaby’s Creative Effects SLR camera lenses: the Composer, Muse and Control Freak.

The optic is remarkable for Lensbaby’s familiar removable magnetic disk aperture system. In addition to the standard round aperture disks from f/2 to f/22, the Soft Focus Optic also offers three special soft focus multi-hole apertures with one large opening over the optic’s sharp center and small openings over the optic’s soft edges.

Such a pattern creates a sharp image with a soft overlay. You can combine the soft focus apertures together or with standard apertures to vary the amount of the softness. In addition, the multi-hole apertures further enhance creativity with their ability to create out-of-focus highlights that take on the shape of the aperture holes.

The Soft Focus Optic features multi-coated optical glass doublet for a much flatter field of focus than previous Lensbaby optics. But this new optic does not have the Sweet Spot of sharp focus and dramatic blur outside of that spot created by the Double Glass, Single Glass, and Plastic Optics.

“The new Soft Focus Optic creates images that are overall soft and diffused, much like a classic Imagon portrait lens,” said Craig Strong, Lensbaby President and Co-Founder.

The lens can be used in portrait, landscape, urban, and botanical photography. Unlike many Lensbaby lenses, you don’t bend the lens but simply point it straight ahead to achieve a classic soft focus look.

Soft Focus Optic - Specifications:

• Focal Length: 50mm
• Multi-Coated Optical Glass Doublet
• F/2 Maximum Aperture
• Aperture Disks: F/2.8 - F/22
• Magnetic Disk Aperture System
• Overall Soft and Diffuse Images
• Soft Focus Multi-Hole Aperture Disks
• Very Flat Field of Focus
• MSRP: $89.95

Lensbaby has announced the addition of the Fisheye Optic to its Optic Swap system, offering ultra-wide focal length of 12mm. It optic has six element multi-coated optical design.

When installed into Lensbaby Composer or Muse lens, the new Fisheye Optic can turn it into a fisheye. To install it you should first swap out the existing optic and then drop it into the lens. Then you get 160 degree fisheye angle of view beginning from one-inch from the front of the lens.

Unlike earlier optics, this one doesn’t feature a ’sweet spot’ of focus. The peculiarity of the Fisheye Optic is the removable disk aperture system, with possible aperture settings ranging from f/4 to f/22. To change the aperture, you should unscrew its top element and replace the aperture disk using the included Aperture Tool.

Its extremely wide angle field of view causes black corners to appear in the images when using APS-sized sensor cameras. Full-frame camera shooters will see even a black circle around almost the entire image. This black edge is typical for standard fisheye lenses.

In addition, the Fisheye optic treats it specially and applies a creative lens flare effect that causes originally black edge areas to glow with color whenever there are bright light sources in the image.

The Fisheye Optic has a much flatter field of focus than lens baby’s Double Glass, Single Glass, and Plastic Optics. It doesn’t have that dramatic blur of the above-mentioned lenses. And you don’t bend the lens, but point it straight ahead to achieve a classic fisheye look.

The optic is compatible with Lensbaby’s Composer and Muse units, but is not recommended for use with the Control Freak. Special adapter must be purchased for use with Muse.

Lensbaby Fisheye Optic - Specifications:

• Focal Length: 12mm
• Six Element Multi-Coated Optical Design
• Maximum Aperture: f/4
• Removable Disk Aperture System
• Aperture Disks Values: f/5.6 to f/22
• Focus range: 1 inch to infinity
• Lens Flare Effect in Dark Corners
• No Sweet Spot of Focus
• Compatibility: Lensbaby Composer and Muse
• MSRP: $149.95

According dpreview.com.